Dunedin Thunder - Ice Hockey

Wikipedia - Dunedin Thunder

The Dunedin Thunder, currently the Phoenix Thunder for sponsorship reasons, is a men's ice hockey team based in Dunedin, New Zealand and are members of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League. The club plays their home games at the Dunedin Ice Stadium. The Thunder were founded in 2008 and joined the league as an expansion team. The clubs won their first regular season title in 2013 and have finished as runner-up in the playoffs in 2013 and 2014, losing on both occasions to the Canterbury Red Devils.

History

The Dunedin Thunder playing against the West Auckland Admirals, July 2021

The Dunedin Thunder were founded in 2008 and joined the New Zealand Ice Hockey League, expanding the league to five teams. In their debut season the Thunder finished the regular season in last place, managing only one win from their 12 games. The team repeated their last place finish in the 2009 season, again finishing the season with only a single win. The Thunder improved from 2010 to 2012, finishing the regular season in fourth on two occasions and third in the 2012 season. In 2013 the Thunder claimed their first regular season title after finishing on 32 points and edging out the Canterbury Red Devils only on win percentage. The team advanced to the final against the Red Devils however lost the game 3–7. The following season the Thunder returned to the finals after finishing the regular season in second place. The team however went on to lose for the second year in a row to the Red Devils. In the 2015 season the Thunder finished the regular season in fourth place and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Dunedin Thunder is a professional ice hockey team based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The team was founded in 2008 and has since become a dominant force in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League. The team's home arena is the Dunedin Ice Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 1,800.

The Dunedin Thunder team is known for its fast-paced, aggressive style of play, which is supported by a strong defensive unit and skilled goaltending. The team's roster is made up of talented players from around the world, including Canada, the United States, and Europe.

The team's colors are blue, white, and black, and its logo features a thunderbolt striking through a hockey puck. The team's mascot is a thunderbird named Bolt, who can often be seen entertaining fans during games.

Dunedin Thunder has won multiple championships in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League, including the Birgel Cup in 2014 and 2015. The team has also represented New Zealand in international competitions, including the IIHF World Championships.

Overall, Dunedin Thunder is a highly respected and successful ice hockey team that has earned a loyal following of fans both in New Zealand and around the world.